Touching the World: Reflections from the Tactile Graphics Workshop in Vilnius

A map of Lithuania and its neighbouring countries,

A map of Ukraine highlighting occupied territories,

In late June, Vilnius hosted a unique and inspiring workshop where blind and partially sighted participants from Lithuania had the opportunity to test tactile materials developed by researchers from Lund University. The event brought together curious minds, skilled facilitators, and, most importantly, tactile graphics designed with exceptional care and relevance.

Although it is rare to hear someone say they are proficient in reading 2D tactile graphics, this time was different. The researchers from Lund University took great care to ensure that the materials were not only technically precise but also meaningful and contextually rich. Participants had the chance to explore tactile maps such as:

• A map of Lithuania and its neighboring countries,

• A time-lapse map showing the historical transformations of Lithuania – its rise, fall, disappearance, and reappearance on the world map,

• A map of Ukraine highlighting occupied territories,

• A tactile depiction of Israel and Palestine.

These materials demonstrated just how much thought and effort is needed to create tactile graphics that are truly engaging and informative. When done right, they spark curiosity, promote exploration, and enable people to build vivid mental images of geographic and historical concepts.

Interestingly, as the materials shifted from familiar to unfamiliar contexts—from Lithuania, Ukraine to Israel–Palestine, from simple labyrinth to flow chart the level of engagement varied. Participants were less engaged and more confused when faced with less familiar topics or abstract representations. This highlights an important insight: the success of tactile materials often depends on the user’s prior knowledge and the relevance of the content.

Despite these challenges, the workshop clearly showed the vast potential of tactile technologies. People are diverse—some look for practical, simple applications, while others are eager to dive deep into complex visual information translated into touch. What unites everyone is the hope for accessible and affordable solutions.

This workshop was a small but meaningful step forward. It reminded us that with enough effort, tactile graphics can open new ways of learning, exploring, and understanding the world— one touch at a time.